they picked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they picked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where a group of people selected or chose something or someone. Example: "After much deliberation, they picked the best candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They picked up Marty.

The New Yorker

They picked at the food.

The New Yorker

What?' " They picked him up.

The New Yorker

They picked the wrong man.

The New York Times - Sports

They picked up the instruments.

The New Yorker

So they picked Smith.

The Guardian - Sport

They picked Virginia.

The New York Times - Sports

They picked a season.

The New York Times

They picked me up.

The New York Times

"They picked him up in Hollywood, Fla".

The New York Times

They picked themselves up and moved out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "they chose" or "they selected" to avoid repetition and enrich your writing.

Common error

Ensure the verb tense is consistent. Avoid mixing past and present tenses when using "they picked". Stick to past tense throughout the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they picked" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a group made a choice or selection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they picked" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe a selection or decision made by a group. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread application. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When writing, ensure consistent verb tense and consider synonyms like "they chose" or "they selected" to add variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they chose

Replaces "picked" with a direct synonym, indicating a selection was made.

they selected

A more formal synonym for "picked", also indicating a deliberate choice.

they opted for

Indicates a preference or decision in favor of something.

they went with

An informal way of saying they made a decision or selection.

they decided on

Emphasizes the decision-making process leading to the selection.

they favored

Suggests a bias or preference influencing their choice.

they designated

Implies an official or formal appointment or selection.

they handpicked

Highlights a careful and deliberate selection process.

they appointed

Focuses on assigning someone to a specific role or position.

they drew

Implies a selection by chance or lottery.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they picked"?

You can use alternatives like "they chose", "they selected", or "they opted for" depending on the context.

Is "they picked" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they picked" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of the verb "to pick" used with the pronoun "they".

How to use "they picked" in a sentence?

You can use "they picked" to describe a decision or choice made by a group. For example: "They picked the best candidate for the job".

What's the difference between "they picked" and "they choose"?

"They picked" is the past tense, indicating a completed action, while "they choose" is the present tense, indicating an action happening now or a general preference. Use "they picked" when referring to something that already happened.